WEEKEND BEST BETS

Drawbridge puppets present fabulous take on famous fabulist

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LUNENBURG -- Aesop's fables have stood the test of time, so Drawbridge Puppet Theater's Jeff Koslik has no problem using this month to reprise the tales that teach.

"This is not brand-new, but relatively new. We presented it in 2009," said Jeff Koslik, owner and puppeteer. "As with all shows, you tweak them a bit according to audience reaction of past shows."

Drawbridge will be presenting three of Aesop's fables in one show: "The Lion and the Mouse," "The Grasshopper and the Ant" and "The Tortoise and the Hare."

The theater will be offering $5 Wednesday shows during July and August.

Koslik said the fables are designed for two puppeteers. Brianna Rousseau is the second puppeteer working behind the scenes with him.

The 22-year-old Rousseau started working at Drawbridge Puppet Theater when she was 15.

"She's back here full time since last April. She started as an artist, helping with workshops, and she'll be doing backdrops for 'Peter Rabbit,'" which is expected to be staged as early as the fall, he said.

"She's excellent with the puppets, very good with children and she's very mature and responsible. I have so much confidence in her," he said.

Rosseau is in her last year at Fitchburg State University. Koslik hopes Rousseau will stay on at Drawbridge.

"She loves it so much. It's not just a job to her. She's a creative person. She contributes a lot to the shows," he said.

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Rosseau came to Drawbridge as a friend of another girl who was hired at Drawbridge Puppet Theater. She worked closely under late founder and master puppeteer Paul LeCuyer.

"This other girl suggested Brianna. She also knew Paul and had a great relationship with him. She knew our history, and wanted (the theater) to continue after Paul passed away," said Koslik.

"She helped me with Paul's memorial and party," he said. "We had four performances open to the public."

Rousseau operates shadows, marionettes and hand puppets. After the shows, she helps Koslik with the toy cupboard drawing, birthdays, field trips and workshops.

"She's very good at speaking to audiences," said Koslik, who said Rousseau is studying sociology. "Her heart is in the arts, but she's also practical. I hope she does continue with us in some capacity. She can do it all, and she's got a lot of drive."

Rousseau has set a very high standard for herself, Koslik said.

"We had to let her go for a while because of budget, but she's on the top of the list. Even on a volunteer basis, she wants to be part of it. You don't see that very often," he said.

Koslik explained that Drawbridge Puppet Theater is doing surprisingly well. The theater, a renovated barn, has been doing a lot besides plays, and it's kept them very busy.

"We've got little side projects. We keep getting the word out. We no longer do our traveling shows. I just wanted to focus more on getting people to come here," Koslik said.

Drawbridge has plans to present more sophisticated puppet shows themed for older children up to adults.

"A lot of times kids hit age 7 and then they're too old for these shows," he said.

Koslik already has shows in the works that will incorporate the same original characters, yet in original plots.

"That's the tricky thing about this business. You get children about 4-6, so you're constantly losing your audience -- one of the reasons I want to expand the repertoire to include kids of all ages, 10-11 up to folks in their 80s and 90s, appropriate for all those age groups," he said.

Koslik said the topics and songs would be more involved.

"I'm very excited about it at as a writer," Koslik said, adding that he wants to begin the expanded lineup by fall or winter.

In the meantime, Koslik is excited about the coming summer program.

"We're having a summer puppetry camp from Aug. 11-15. Kids will be able to pick from prewritten scripts, record the voices themselves, make their own puppets, and perform the show at the end of the week," said Koslik.

"We also have the Harper and the Minstrel, a husband-and-wife duo who were here last summer in the beautiful gardens and are coming back on July 26 for a 5 p.m. performance," he said.

* Kids Yard Sale: Sell or trade your things, bring gently used toys, books, games and sports equipment and set up on the library lawn, bring your own blanket or table, items need to be clean and have all the pieces, make sure Mom and Dad know what you are selling; Monday, rain date July 14; register online or call 978-582-4140.

* Snakes!: Snake stories and make a snake puppet from a tie; Tuesday, 2-3 p.m.

Read to Your Bunny: Baby story time for children ages 12-24 months and a caregiver, meet Daisy the Puppet, songs, dance, play musical instruments; Thursday, 10-10:45 a.m.; Leominster Library, 30 West St.

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